Friday Letters

Dear Children, you have had ear infections, sinus infections, strep and colds. On the up side you all love school still. And we aren't drowning in homework yet. Dear B&W, Thanks for the double date! It was nice to go out with friends and just enjoy the evening. You guys always make me laugh. Dear House, I'm going to go through every corner of this old house and make it home. Add one more place to my long list of scrubbing, painting, papering, scouring every cupboard and drawer. I can't say I'm excited about it, but I am looking forward to having an organized house. Dear Foot Ball, I watch you break my boy. I see him try again and again. I was worried about weather or not it is the best thing for him. Then I see the other boys cheering him on and helping him. It's what he needs, a team. Dear Avary, if your big brother has a boomerang in his hands it's going to be dangerous. Just run away. I think an x ray, splint and a swollen, bruised, sprained finger will help you to remember that. With barely being able to walk this week also, there have been a lot of tears. Somehow you always tough it out and still went to gymnastics. Tough cookie. Dear Hazel, I watched you pick up and stack SIX tires! You weigh 40lbs. I am utterly amazed. Dear Hailey, you are learning quickly on your violin. I love that. Dear Will, thank you for making it possible for me to have a break. Thank You for being such a good Father to my children this week. Can't explain the feelings in my heart when I see you give my little boy a blessing, and he let you, when you lay on the trampoline with the kids and look at the stars, when you help my kids with homework, seeing you play with them, when I see you hold them when they cry, when I see my little girls arms wrapped around your neck or them asleep in your arms, when I see their faces light up every time you come home. I can't explain what happens in my heart. Oh how I love you so. Dear Self, It's good to know my limits. It's better to know how I can expand them. I need a quiet moment to ponder, to feel, to reflect. One step at a time. Patience with myself is hard.

Friday Letters

Dear Children, you are all loving school. I hope this lasts all year. ha.  Dear Kade, football practice pushes you to your breaking point. It breaks my heart to see you hurting and to see you struggle. I am so proud of you and for how hard you are trying. You break but then you get up and keep going. I will always be here to cheer you on. Dear FB Practice, little did I know that I signed my life away. I hate that practice is every day and I hate that you moved it to the college instead of one street away. There was a playground one street away. This is a problem I tell you! Dear Ranch, It was so nice to spend some time enjoying the green and all of the wild flowers. The kids were covered in dirt or mud as usual, but that always means they are having fun. And did you know that you can roast marshmallows in the rain? You can. And did you know that you are never to old to do double rope swings? My Sis and I survived, although it is a bad idea to look up at the sky when you are spinning. Bad. Idea. Dear Dad, I loved sitting around and listening to you tell stories to the kids. I was happy that most of them I had already shared with them, I want them to remember what great men they come from. Dear Hazel, so much for the separation anxiety. I know it has only been a week, but really, I'm not allowed to go past the fence? And no hug or kiss in public? I guess it's better than you screaming and crying for me. Dear Girls, I am so excited that you started gymnastics this week! Especially Avary! I can't wait to see what you are capable of. Dear Hailey, you have a mini triathlon this weekend...with everything else that has been going on you have barely trained. Good luck! Dear Will, I forgot to make the cookies, forgot the candles, at least I remembered your gifts! Good thing your Dad had us over for dinner and Vicky made a cake with candles on it for you. We still have a double date to attend also. It will be better next year I promise. Watching you work along side my Dad building a bridge over the wash made me feel so happy, even if it was your birthday. I love You. Even if you are old. Dear Self, Sometimes I feel the weight of the world and it can be so hard to change my thoughts when I feel so many things in my heart. I am so grateful for a Temple down the street. I also think I should just avoid mirrors, random, I know.

My Little Man

Because of medical reasons my little guy had to have his dental work done in the hospital.

The day before his 10th Birthday!

Poor guy.

He did great other than having airway obstruction...I am thankful for quick thinking Dr.s. And that Kade was not awake when there was six attempts to get an IV in.

He survived to turn 10!

He chose IHOP for breakfast.

He didn't even eat half of his funny face.

Will took him to DQ and let him pick his cake. You can tell because I would never let him get black frosting.

He wanted the air force symbol. Ha he is so funny.

Kade wanted sparklers not candles. I compromised.

Of course he had to light his own candles and then play with them.

He's a pyro.

And if you ever see a bunch of boys huddled together like this then you know they have matches.

Kade had a great Birthday and got awesome gifts. He was so happy.

I am still trying to accept that my little man is 10 yrs old.

I Love You Bud!

Friday Letters

 

                        

                                                                First Day Of School

Dear Children, You were all so excited to start school this week! I have mixed feelings. Dear Football, you are a little much. Two hour practice every day. Kade is doing awesome, but talk about time consuming. Dear Back to School, You have taken all of my babies! Instead of crying Will and I walked Hazel to school, the rest left us in the dust, I pried myself away from Hazels classroom came home and went to bed. I slept until 1 pm! I was serious when I said I've been tired.  Dear Rain Storm, You were intense. Flooding our yards all the way up to the back door. You brought out many living things including Franky and a lot of frog eggs. The kids tried to keep them in the back field. We were trying to fish when it started and ended up soaked. We lost power for awhile, but the kids were entertained with candles. Dear Hailey, I am proud of you for all the effort you put in this last couple of weeks to learn new things. Sometimes that is a hard thing to do. I am also proud of you for coming home from your YM/YW back to school dance and behaving sanely. Last year you were so excited you scared me a little. ha. Dear Ranch, here we come! It has been too long, I am going to enjoy your beauty in many forms. I love being able to share this love for you with my children. Dear Will, Happy Birthday! We will be at the ranch, but I hope you have fun and I hope that you feel loved and know how special you are to me. I hope you like your gift too. I Love You! Dear Self, I think I am going through withdrawals having my kids at school. Why is the house not clean, and the laundry not done? Don't fret it will still be there tomorrow.

Ice Caves

We got to do a lot of fun things this summer.

I was either really busy or really tired.

I dream of the days when I can "catch up" if that even exists.

We did have some fun though.

We explored the "Ice Caves" up on the mountain.

Waiting while Will went looking for the 3 kids who jumped out of the car and ran down the path a little too excited. It took them awhile before they thought hmmm where is the rest of the family? And tried to find their way back. They did think to stop and say a prayer so it was a good learning experience for them, I hope.

Hazel wasn't crazy about the caves even with a flashlight and someone holding her hand.

I thought I would feel claustrophobic, but I was fine. Some of the kids on the other hand wanted to go in, but it was a hard climb for them or they were too scared. They all went into at least one of them.

It was some tricky climbing in some places. And pitch dark and cold.

But pretty with a flashlight. It was so sparkly. Pictures don't do it justice.

We all had fun. Got rained on, dirty, bruised up, car sick, and almost ran out of gas on the way down the mountain. But we did see 3 deer on our windy way back.

Friday Letters

                   We just throw our kids down into a cave when they misbehave. It works great.

Dear Children, I think we have officially reached the "I'm bored" stage. School starts next week. Dear Laundry, you have been washed 3 times and you are still in the washer... Dear Burn, just so there is no confusion, curling iron's with no handle thingy are really hot. And that glove that comes with them? You should use it. A split second and the slight brush on your finger can give such a long lasting burning sensation. Oh and a pretty blister. Dear Ice Caves, having 3 kids jump out of the car and run down the trail wasn't cool. We spent a good chunk of time looking for them. Luckily they stayed on the trail and did something to make me proud, they said a prayer. Climbing so far down was pretty cool. Literally also, my hands were freezing. I thought I would be claustrophobic, but it didn't seem to bother me. It was fun. Dear Dreams, I would prefer not to dream about scorpions all night. This house has a ton! Dear Headache, you are my life's curse. You almost did me in, but you eventually gave up the battle. Although I always seem to feel like I just came out of battle the next day. Dear Glitter, after the little girls "did crafts" there is a sparkle in every room of the house. It goes with you when you leave even. We had to shake off our blanket in my room. Dear Layton, Happy Birthday! I couldn't be more proud of you. I admire your dedication to serving the Lord. And I'm a little bit jealous that you are so close to Lake Tahoe. Dear Will, I love you...still. Ha. You are my best friend and I couldn't imagine living without you. Dear Self, going to the temple every week has been such a blessing for me. Always that place of calm for me. I've needed it a lot lately.

Friday Letters

                    A true pyro, he took all of the candles off of his cake and played with them.

Dear Children, I think we are all glad to be home. And the boredom may have set in. I wish I was bored. It's good to have our missing ones back after their trip to Utah. Dear Kade, You are 10! I can't believe it! I actually ate a piece of your ice cream cake. It was yummy. I did skip the black frosting, I think frosting is gross already. Dear Fun, who knew a 20 yr (yes I said 20) high school reunion could be so fun! Not mine, Will's. He went to school with such fun people. I had a great time. Will even danced with me! Not at our wedding, No, but it was worth the wait and so much fun. He makes me laugh. Little does he know this is just the beginning of his dancing career Ha. I might want to look up some of the couples and double date some time. My fave was the photo booth of course. We rock the photo booth. And the bathtub! This deserves it's own post. And pictures. Dear Name, It has only been 5 months or so...but I finally got around to changing my name. Sooo I am officially Camille Clark well according to the MVD, with a new drivers licence photo and everything. You know how everyone looks so good in those. Dear Mom, I hope you have the best birthday. You only turn 65 once! I mean 45. Love You! Dear Sis's, you should come visit me. Just sayin. Dear Will, I Love You! I love going to the Temple with you every week. I love knowing you are coming home to me everyday. I loved spending a night away with you. I look forward to being with you for the rest of my life! Dear Self, I had some blah days this week and some headaches also. Hmm maybe they are connected. It's easier to love myself when I go to the Temple every week. How lucky am I.